"I'm going through the same emotions that a lot of the boys would be feeling come tomorrow night," Morris said.

"It's all starting again. I did the injury against Essendon (in 2011) and now I'm coming back against Essendon. I've almost come full circle.

"I'm full of nerves, a lot of excitement. I'm going through all of the team meetings getting sweaty hands. It feels like it's come around a lot quicker than it has, but during that time out it felt like it took like forever."

Morris admitted there were times when he started to doubt himself and whether he would play again, but the help of two fellow broken-leg victims helped him through.

"When I had the injury (Michael) Barlow from Freo and Garry Lyon contacted me straight away," he said.

"To hear their stories and what they went through, the things they needed to do to get back and how successful they were - Barlow's still playing and Garry played the next season - that was really helpful in building my confidence back up."

Ruckman Will Minson said he and his teammates took great heart from seeing the defender fit and firing again.

"It's just spectacular, Dale is such a loved member of the Western Bulldogs," he said.

In the past 243 days Usain Bolt won three Olympic gold medals, Black Caviar won at Royal Ascot, the world survived December 21, the Pope resigned and Sydney won a premiership.

But not once in that time have the Western Bulldogs won a game of footy. That's why tonight's mini-games against Essendon and Collingwood are important.

"Everyone likes winning games of football," Minson said.

"If there's a chance to win a game and a chance to win a contest then the natural instincts take over."
Originally published as Morris feels like debutant

News.com.au's Privacy Policy includes important information about our collection, use and disclosure of your personal information (including to provide you with targeted content and advertising based on your online activities). It explains that if you do not provide us with information we have requested from you, we may not be able to provide you with the goods and services you require. It also explains how you can access or seek correction of your personal information, how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles and how we will deal with a complaint of that nature.

A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites.